L M Montgomery Short Story: A Golden Wedding

Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in Prince Edward Island on November 30, 1874. She achieved international fame in her lifetime, putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary stage. Best known for her "Anne of Green Gables" books, she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry.

This collection features those stories.

This episode is called A Golden Wedding.

Transcript

Welcome to sleep stories with Steph your go-to podcast. That offers you a calm and relaxing transition. Into a great night's sleep. It is time to relax and fully let go. There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Close your eyes. And feel yourself sink into the support beneath you. And let all the worries of the day go. Drift away. This is your time. And your space. Take a deep breath in through your nose. And let it out with a long sigh. That's it! There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Happy listening. A golden wedding. The land dropped abruptly down from the gate, And a thick shrubby growth of young apple orchard almost hid the little weather-grey house from the road. This was why the young man who opened the sagging gate could not see it was boarded up and did not cease his cheerful whistling until he had pressed through the crowding trees and found himself almost on the sunken stone doorstep. Over which, In olden days, Honeysuckle had been wont to arch. Now only a few straggling, Uncared for vines clung forlornly to the shingles, And the windows were, As it had been said, All boarded up. The whistle died on the young man's lips and an expression of blank astonishment and dismay settled down on his face. A good, Kindly, Honest face it was, Although perhaps it did not betoken any pronounced mental gifts on the part of its owner. What could have happened? " he said to himself. Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally can't be dead. I'd have seen their deaths in the paper if they was. And I'd have thought they'd have moved away if it had been printed. I can't have been gone long. That flower bed must have been made up last spring. Well, This is a kind of setback for a fellow. Here I've been trampling all the way from the station, Thinking how good it'd be to see Aunt Sally's old sweet face again and hear Uncle Tom's laugh. And all I find is this boarded up house going to seed. I suppose I might as well toddle over to the Stetsons and enquire if they haven't disappeared too. He went through the old fir's back of the lot and across the field to a rather shabby house beyond. A cheery-faced woman answered his knock and looked at him in a puzzled fashion. Have you forgotten me, Mrs Stetson? Don't you remember Lovell Stephens and how you used to give him plum tarts when you'd bring your turkeys home? Mrs Stetson caught both his hands in a hearty clasp. I guess I haven't forgotten, She declared. Well, Well, In your level. I think I ought to know your face, Though you've changed a lot. Fifteen years have made a big difference in you. Come right in. Pa, This is Lovell. You might lovell the boy Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom had for years. Reckon I do, " drawled Jonas Stetson with a friendly grin. Ain't likely to forget some of the capers you used to be cutting up. You've filled out considerable. Where have you been for the last ten years? Aunt Sally fretted a lot over you, Thinking you was dead or gone to the bad. Lovell's face clouded. I know I ought to have written, He said repentantly. But you know, I'm a terrible poor scholar and I'll do most anything than try to write a letter. But where's Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally gone? Surely they ain't dead? No, Said Jonas Detson slowly, But I guess they'd rather be. They're in the pool house. The pool house? Old Sally in the pool house? Exclaimed Lovell. It's a burning shame. Declared Mrs. Stetson. Aunt Sally's just breaking her heart from the disgrace of it all. But it didn't seem as if it could be helped. Uncle Tom got so crippled with rheumatism he couldn't work and Aunt Sally was too frail to do anything. They hadn't any rations and there was a mortgage on the house. There wasn't any when I went away. No, They had to borrow money six years ago when Uncle Tom had his first spell of rheumatic fever. This spring it was clear there was nothing for them but the poorhouse. They went three months ago and terrible hard they took it. Especially Aunt Sally. I felt awful about it myself. Jonah and I would have took him in if we could, But we couldn't. We've nothing but Jonah's wages and have eight children and not a bit of spare room. I go over to see Aunt Sally as often as I can and I take her a little something. But I don't know, She would rather not see anybody than see him in the poorhouse. Lovell weighed his hat in his hands and frowned over it reflectively. Who owns the house now? Peter Townley. He held the mortgage. And all the old furniture was sold too. That almost killed Aunt Sally. But you know what she's fretting over most of all? She and Uncle Tom would have been married 50 years in a fortnight's time. Aunt Sally thinks it's awful to have to spend their golden wedding anniversary in the poorhouse. She talks about it all the time. You're not going, Lovell. Love Will Have Visions. You must stop with us since your old home's closed up. We'll scare you up a shakedown to sleep on and you're welcome as welcome. I haven't forgotten the time you caught Mary Ellen just as she was tumbling into the well. Thank you, I'll stay to tea, " said Lovell, Sitting down again. But I guess I'll make up my headquarters at the station hotel as long as I stay around here. It's kind of more central. Got on pretty well out west, Eh? Query Jonah. Pretty well for a fellow who had nothing but his two hands to depend upon, Said Love all cautiously. I've only been a labouring man, Of course, But I saved up enough to start a little store when I go back. That's why I came east for a trip now, Because I'd be tied down to business. I was hankering to see Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom once more. I'll never forget how kind and good they was to me. There I was when Dad died, A little sinner of eleven, Just heading for destruction. They gave me a home and all the schooling I ever had and all the love I ever got. It was Aunt Sally's teaching made of much of a man of me as I am. I'll never forget them and I'll try to live up to them. After tea, Lovell said he thought he'd stroll up the road and pay Peter Townley a call. Jonas Stetson and his wife looked at each other when he had gone. Got something in his eye. Naughty Jonah Him and Peter were never much of friends. Maybe Aunt Sally's bread's coming back to her after all, " said his wife. People used to be hard on Lovell, But I always liked him, And I'm real glad he turned out so well. Lovell came back to the Stetsons the next evening. In the interval, He'd seen Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom. The meeting had been sad and glad. Lovell had also seen other people. I've brought Uncle Tom's old house from Peter Townley. He said quietly. And I want you folks to help me out with my plans. Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally ain't gonna spend their golden wedding in the ballhouse. No, Sir. They will spend it back in their old home with their old friends about them. But they're not to know anything about it till the very night, Okay? Do you suppose any of the old furniture could be got back? I'd believe every stick if it could, " said Mrs Stetson excitedly. Most of it was bought by folks living handy. I don't believe any one of them would refuse to sell it back. Uncle Tom's old chair is here to begin with, Aunt Sally gave me that herself. She said she couldn't bear to have it sold. Mrs Isaac Appleby at the station, She bought the set of Pinks Brick China, And James Parker bought the Grandfather's Clock, And the Watnots in the Stanton Greys. For the next fortnight Lovell and Mrs Stetson did so much travelling around together. Jonas said genially he might as well be a bachelor as far as meals and buttons went. They visited every house where a bit of Aunt Sally's belongings could be found. And very successful they were too! Then, At the end of their jaunting, The interior of the little house behind the apple trees looked very much as it had looked when Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom lived there. Meanwhile, Mrs Stetson had been revolving a design in her mind. And one afternoon she did some canvassing on her own account. The next time she saw Lovell, She said, We ain't gonna let you do it all. The women folks around here are going to furnish the refreshments for the golden wedding. The girls are going to decorate the house with golden rod. The evening of the wedding anniversary came. Everybody in Blair was in this plot, Including the matron of the poor house. That night Aunt Sally watched the sun set over the hills through bitter tears. I never thought I'd be celebrating my golden wedding in the poorhouse. She's so pretty. Uncle Tom put his twisted hand on her shaking old shoulder, But before he could utter any words of comfort, Lovell Stephen stood before them. Just get your bonnet on Aunt Sally, And both of you come along with me. I've got a buggy here, And you might as well say goodbye to the poorhouse, Because you're not coming back to that anymore. Lovell, What do you mean? " said Aunt Sally, Tremulously. I'll explain what I mean as we drive along. Now hurry up, The folks are waiting. When they reached the little old house, It was all aglow with light. Aunt Sally gave a cry as she entered it. All her old household goods were back in their places. And there were some new ones too, For Lovell had supplied all that was lacking. The house was full of their old friends and neighbours. Mrs Stetson welcomed them home again. Oh Tom, Whispered Aunt Sally, Tears of happiness streaming down her old face. Oh Tom, Isn't God good? They had a right royal celebration and a supper such as the Blair housewives could produce. It was speeches and songs and tales. Lovell kept himself in the background and helped Mrs Stetson cut cake in the pantry all the evening. But when the guests had gone he went to Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom, Who were sitting by the fire. Here's a little golden wedding present for you, " he said awkwardly, Putting a purse into Aunt Sally's hand. I reckon there's enough here to keep you from ever having to go to the pool house again. And if not, There'll be more where that comes from when it's done. There were 25 bright $20 gold pieces in the purse. We can't take it level. Tested Aunt Sally. You've done enough. You can't afford all this. Don't you worry about that! " laughed Lovell. Out west, Men don't think much of a little word like that. I owe you far more than can be paid in cash, Aunt Sally. You must take it. I want to know there's a little home here for me and two kind hearts in it, No matter where I roam. God bless you, Lovell. Said Uncle Tom Haskerley. You don't know what you've done for Sally and me. That night when Lovell went to the little bedroom of the parlour. For Aunt Sally rejoicing in the fact she was again mistress of a spare room would not hear of him going to the station hotel. Gazed at his reflection in the gilt-framed mirror soberly. You've got just enough left to pay your passage back west, Old fellow. Who said? And then it's begin all over again just where you begun before. But Aunt Sally's face was all worth it. Yes, Sir. And you've got your two hands still, And a couple's prayers and blessings. Not such a bad capital level. Not such a bad capital, After all.